BJP demands to know inputs given by Sonia Gandhi on Naxal issue

Accusing the UPA of speaking in "conflicting" voices on Naxal violence and "undermining the morale" of security forces, BJP today asked National Advisory Council Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to come clear on what advice she gave to the Central government on the issue.

"BJP would like to know about the inputs provided by NAC and its chairperson Sonia Gandhi to the government in this regard. Why is the developmental thrust envisaged to counter the Naxalite influence being diluted?" BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said here.

He wondered why important functionaries within the government and Congress were speaking with a "forked tongue" and questioning the need for adopting a strong posture against mindless loss of life of commoners in Naxalite violence.

Hussain said such behaviour undermined the morale of the nation and that of the security forces fighting this menace.

He insisted that BJP did not believe in playing politics on the issue of Naxalism but was saddened to "notice a stark divergence of opinions, confusion and ad-hocism in government's approach".

"Lack of clear-cut policy and directives, coupled with knee-jerk reactions have emboldened the Naxalites... and an incoherent approach has gravely diluted the fight. This sense of drift is compounded by conflicting statements from ministers and Congress office-bearers," Hussain claimed.

The main opposition party maintained that it had been emphasising on the need for formulating a multi-pronged strategy against Naxalism and even extended full support to the home minister and government in this regard.

Strongly condemning yesterdays Naxal attack in Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh which claimed the lives of 26 CRPF personnel, Hussain asserted that Maoists are "murderers and marauders whose sole agenda is to undermine the democratic polity and development process in the country".

"We must re-iterate that the fight against Naxalism must be seen as a national endeavour and the affected states must be assisted in every possible way to counter this menace," Hussain said.

He maintained that media and intellectuals should "firm up" the national resolve to fight the scourge.